Very well summed up Colebatch. I have to agree with everything you said. Oh and who is your Russian biker RTW'er friend? Sounds like a smart guy.

To answer the OP about handling which then turned into a Hard vs Soft vs Plastic debate:

Added unbalanced weight will contribute to poor handling but there are things you should do whatever luggage you choose. Keep in mind that each bike has it's own max carrying capacity.

This is not just in reference to the suspension, handling or tyre capabilities but also to not stress the frame and engine beyond its designed capacity.

To compensate for extra weight and overloading, you should do the following:
1) increase tyre pressure - I usually run 2-3 psi higher
2) check oil more regularly
3) check/adjust suspension setup - you may need higher rated spring(s)
4) increase stopping distances - more load means it will take longer to stop
5) keep heavy items as low and central as possible
6) keep weight in topbox to minimum (to much weight will cause the bike to tail steer in soft surfaces and can cause an accident)
7) adjust front/rear balance - where possible redistribute the weight to the front of the bike

With the right setup your bike should still handle as well as with just the rider with no luggage. BUT every rider should customise their bike setup for themself.

Ted started a good thread on this very topic here.

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TurboCharger + Francois (our BMW R1200gs) '07
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